John Christensen
Born: 9/15/1960 in Downey, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1984-09-13 | Final Game: 1988-10-01
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 205 lbs
Full name: John Lawrence Christensen
Biography
John Christensen, born in 1960, was a professional baseball player who played as a position player in Major League Baseball from 1984 until his retirement in 1988. Over the course of his five-year career, he appeared in 132 games, primarily known for his versatility on the field. Christensen recorded 66 hits, including five home runs, and drove in 33 runs, while finishing his career with a batting average of .224. In addition to his offensive contributions, he also showcased his speed on the bases, stealing three bases throughout his time in the league.
Christensen played during a transitional period in baseball, which saw the game evolve with the introduction of new strategies and player conditioning. Although his career statistics may not reflect the same power or consistency as some of his contemporaries, he carved out a niche as a reliable role player, contributing to various teams in different capacities. His journey through the game exemplified the challenges faced by many players trying to establish themselves in a competitive era, and his perseverance in the face of those challenges remains a testament to his dedication to the sport.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 132 | 294 | 36 | 66 | 16 | 2 | 5 | 33 | 3 | 35 | 58 | 0.224 | 0.310 | 0.344 | 0.654 | -508.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | NYN | NL | 5 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.273 | 0.0 |
| 1985 | NYN | NL | 51 | 113 | 10 | 21 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 19 | 23 | 0.186 | -220.0 |
| 1987 | SEA | AL | 53 | 132 | 19 | 32 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 2 | 12 | 28 | 0.242 | -288.3 |
| 1988 | MIN | AL | 23 | 38 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0.263 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 103 | 69 | 122 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | NYN | OF | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 | NYN | OF | 38 | 28 | 41 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1987 | SEA | OF | 43 | 29 | 60 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 1988 | MIN | OF | 17 | 10 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 11 |
| Center Field | 2 |
| Right Field | 91 |
| Designated Hitter | 9 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State University Fullerton | Fullerton | CA | 1979, 1980, 1981 |